49ers' foe - Colts' Luck - can take pressure

Updated 5:04 pm, Sunday, April 13, 2014

Photo: Associated Press

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In a photo provided by the San Jose Police Department, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith appears in a booking photo. Smith was arrested Friday Sept. 20, 2013, in San Jose, Calif., on suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana possession, authorities said. (AP Photo/San Jose Police Department) less

In a photo provided by the San Jose Police Department, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith appears in a booking photo. Smith was arrested Friday Sept. 20, 2013, in San Jose, Calif., on suspicion of ... more

Photo: Associated Press

49ers' foe - Colts' Luck - can take pressure

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During his three seasons with Andrew Luck at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh saw the Colts' quarterback had toughness to match his talent.

After absorbing big collisions, Luck displayed grit. And good manners.

"There's never a sign that it does affect him," Harbaugh said. "When you get hit hard, he'll pop back up and pat somebody on the shoulder or helmet and say, 'Nice hit.' "

Unfortunately for Luck, he's had plenty of chances to flash his polite brand of toughness since he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2012. Dating to his rookie season, Luck has taken the third-most sacks among NFL quarterbacks (48), ranking behind Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (57) and San Diego's Philip Rivers (52).

On Sunday, he'll face the 49ers at Candlestick Park and the hits could keep on coming, given the state of Indianapolis' offensive line. Rookie left guard Hugh Thornton, a third-round pick, will make his first career start in place of Donald Thomas, who sustained a season-ending injury last week.

In addition, starting center Samson Satele is questionable after an elbow injury kept him out of practice Friday. If Satele can't play, another rookie, fourth-round pick Khaled Holmes, would make his starting debut.

After two games, Luck has been pressured on 42 percent of his drop-backs, the sixth-most in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He's also taken seven sacks, tying him with Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger for sixth in the NFL.

Harbaugh typically avoids comparing players, but he made an exception this week when it came to Luck (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) and Roethlisberger (6-5, 241), who has ranked among the top four quarterbacks in sacks taken in five of the past seven seasons.

One reason for those sack totals is Roethlisberger's willingness to hang in under pressure, slough off would-be tacklers and make plays because of his size. Luck, who has a 101.3 passer rating when pressured this season, possesses the same trait, Harbaugh said.

"You see the evidence on the tape where guys are hitting him pretty solid, pretty hard and he's able to just flinch it off, kind of Roethlisberger-like," he said. "... Over and over, examples of his ability to extend plays with his feet and also with his strength. Very much like Roethlisberger does."

Still, the Colts would like to provide better protection for their franchise quarterback, whose blind side is guarded by left tackle Anthony Castonzo, the No. 22 pick in 2011. Last year, Castonzo ranked among the league's 10 worst tackles in sacks (9), quarterback hits (11) and quarterback hurries (35) allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.

On Sunday, he will see plenty of outside linebacker Aldon Smith, who will play after being arrested at 7:02 a.m. Friday for suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. Smith is tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks (3.5) after collecting 19.5, a franchise record, in 2012.

Given his sack-filled recent history, it won't be a shock if Luck gets tackled Sunday. But linebacker Patrick Willis doesn't anticipate he'll get rattled.

"He doesn't show a lot of frustration," Willis said. "He doesn't give off much. When he gets sacked, he gets up and gets ready for the next play."

49ers vs. Colts

Spotlight on: RB Frank Gore - After two games, the franchise rushing leader is averaging 2.0 yards a carry and is tied for 41st in the NFL in rushing, behind a group that includes Colts QB Andrew Luck (76). A bounce-back game could be imminent, however. The Colts ranked 29th in run defense last year (27th in 2013), and two injured run-stopping stalwarts, FS LaRon Landry and ILB Pat Angerer, did not travel with the team and will not play.

Injury notes: 49ers - TE Vernon Davis (hamstring) is questionable, and his streak of 93 games played could be in jeopardy after he didn't practice during the week. DT Ray McDonald (ankle) and S Eric Reid (concussion) are questionable but are on track to play. Colts - Indianapolis has more injury issues beyond Landry and Angerer: Two other defensive starters, DE Corey Redding (back) and SS Antoine Bethea (toe), are questionable. Starting C Samson Satele (elbow) is also questionable.

Big 3

Go deep, young QBs? Both Luck and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick have pushed the ball downfield in the season's first two games. Kaepernick has the highest average depth of target (11.9), and Luck ranks third (11.0).

Young phenom: Colts WR T.Y. Hilton has six 100-yard games in 17 career contests. Hilton is already tied for 10th in franchise history in 100-yard receiving games.

Bounce back: The 49ers are 7-0 and have outscored opponents 160-43 after regular-season losses in the Jim Harbaugh era. They are coming off a 29-3 loss in Seattle.

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